Jacob Buller: The Serial TCPA Litigator Who Took on Bernie Sanders, Then Got Arrested
Jacob Buller, a 34-year-old Minnesota resident and professional UX designer, became a documented serial TCPA litigator when he and co-plaintiff Cody Olson sued the Bernie 2020 presidential campaign over unsolicited automated text messages.
Filed in June 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, the putative class action alleged that the Sanders campaign used an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) to send political texts without prior express consent in violation of the TCPA.
Buller is not a casual consumer who received one unwanted text. He is not an occasional filer. He is a serial litigator whose litigation activity focuses heavily on political campaigns, automated marketing operations, and organizations using mass-texting technology.
Legal commentators, defense firms, and federal courts have all taken note of Buller’s litigation activity. His lawsuit against Bernie 2020 helped establish that political campaigns cannot automatically avoid TCPA liability merely by labeling text programs as “volunteer-driven” systems.
However, Buller’s background became significantly more controversial in late 2025. In November 2025, he was arrested in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and charged with impaired operation, dangerous operation, and possession of fentanyl. Defense firms now use those criminal allegations to challenge his adequacy and credibility as a class representative in consumer litigation.
The public record presents a complex profile: a highly active TCPA plaintiff with technical expertise in automated systems whose recent criminal charges have substantially altered how defendants portray him in litigation.
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: Jacob Buller’s Multiple Public Profiles
Jacob Buller presents an unusual combination of professional, litigation, and criminal-history narratives.
| Identity | Details | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| TCPA Litigator | Named plaintiff in Buller v. Bernie 2020 Inc. | THIS PROFILE |
| UX Designer / Product Strategist | Lead UX Designer at Fjord and Chapter SF | Technical knowledge of messaging systems |
| Criminal Defendant (2025) | Arrested in Ontario for impaired operation and fentanyl possession | Used by defense firms to challenge credibility |
This profile focuses primarily on Jacob Buller’s TCPA litigation activities while acknowledging that his recent criminal charges are now part of the public record and frequently referenced in litigation commentary.
Who Is Jacob Buller? A UX Designer Turned Serial TCPA Litigator
Jacob Buller is a Minnesota-based TCPA plaintiff who became publicly known after suing the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign over political text messaging practices.
Court filings and legal commentary identify Buller as an active plaintiff involved in litigation concerning:
- Automated text messaging
- Political campaign communications
- ATDS allegations
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) texting systems
- Recycled-number liability
- Mass-texting compliance
Professional Profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacob Buller |
| Age | 34 (as of 2025 arrest) |
| Location | Dakota County, Minnesota |
| Occupation | Lead UX Designer / Product Strategist |
| Employers | Fjord, Chapter SF |
| Clients | Facebook, Google, UberEats, USPTO |
| Litigation Role | Serial TCPA Plaintiff |
Documented Litigation Focus
- Political campaign texting
- Automated messaging platforms
- ATDS claims
- Peer-to-peer texting systems
- Reassigned-number liability
- “Staccato” text cadence allegations
- Class action litigation
The UX-design connection is significant. Buller’s technical background allegedly allows him to analyze how automated marketing systems operate and where TCPA vulnerabilities may exist.
The Landmark Case: Buller v. Bernie 2020 Inc.
Jacob Buller became nationally known in TCPA litigation circles after filing suit against Bernie 2020 Inc. alongside Cody Olson.
Case Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota |
| Case No. | 0:20-cv-01368 |
| Filing Date | June 15, 2020 |
| Plaintiffs | Jacob Buller & Cody Olson |
| Defendant | Bernie 2020 Inc. |
| Judge | Eric C. Tostrud |
The Allegations
The lawsuit alleged that Bernie 2020 used an ATDS to send unsolicited political text messages without prior express consent.
| Plaintiff | Date | Sender Number | Alleged Message |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Buller | Oct. 17, 2019 | (434) 321-4173 | “Hi Jacob, it’s Praveen with Bernie 2020…” |
| Cody Olson | Oct. 18, 2019 | (205) 512-2686 | “Hi Cody, it’s Brittany with Bernie 2020…” |
Key Claims in the Complaint
| Allegation | Details |
|---|---|
| No consent | Plaintiffs denied giving permission |
| ATDS usage | Alleged use of automated technology |
| Generic scripting | Near-identical messaging |
| Spoofed numbers | Numbers allegedly inactive/disconnected |
| P2P texting | Plaintiffs argued the platform still functioned as an ATDS |
The Harm Alleged
The complaint alleged several forms of harm:
| Harm | Description |
|---|---|
| Invasion of privacy | Unwanted intrusion onto cellular devices |
| Nuisance | Unsolicited political texts |
| Data consumption | Reduction of mobile data |
| Battery drain | Additional device power usage |
| Processing slowdown | Temporary reduction in device performance |
Strategic Venue Selection
The case was filed in Minnesota shortly after favorable rulings involving political texting litigation.
Plaintiffs relied heavily on precedent from:
- Marks v. Crunch San Diego
- Pederson v. Donald J. Trump For President, Inc.
- Duran v. La Boom Disco
These decisions supported broader interpretations of what qualifies as an ATDS.
Key Legal Contributions From Buller’s Litigation
1. Political Campaigns Are Not Exempt
The complaint cited FCC guidance establishing that political text messages are still subject to TCPA restrictions when automated technology is used.
2. P2P Platforms May Trigger TCPA Liability
Buller argued that volunteer-operated systems can still qualify as regulated automated platforms when users simply launch pre-written scripts.
This theory later became central to broader litigation over political peer-to-peer texting.
3. Recycled Numbers Liability (2025 Development)
Buller’s litigation also focused on reassigned-number liability.
The theory:
- A campaign may still face liability if a number changes ownership
- Prior consent from the previous owner may no longer apply
This helped drive adoption of Reassigned Numbers Database (RND) scrubbing among political consultants.
4. Soundboard Technology = Prerecorded Voice
In later litigation involving Grassroots Targeting, Buller argued that prerecorded audio snippets triggered TCPA prerecorded-voice rules even when activated by a human operator.
5. “Staccato” Texting Patterns
By 2026, Buller’s complaints increasingly emphasized rapid message cadence as evidence of automation.
The Criminal Arrest (November 2025)
On November 21, 2025, Jacob Buller was arrested in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Incident Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | November 21, 2025 |
| Location | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario |
| Time | Approximately 8:00 a.m. |
| Initial Report | Driver asleep at the wheel |
| Vehicle Condition | Running and allegedly in drive |
Police reportedly stated Buller:
- Was asleep in the vehicle
- Was holding a cellphone
- Was not wearing a seatbelt
Charges
| Charge | Type |
|---|---|
| Operation While Impaired | Criminal |
| Dangerous Operation | Criminal |
| Possession of Schedule I Substance (Fentanyl) | Criminal |
| Handheld Device Violation | Provincial |
| Seatbelt Violation | Provincial |
| No Licence Offense | Provincial |
Evidence Allegedly Recovered
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspected fentanyl | Approximately two grams |
| Drug paraphernalia | Reportedly present |
Drug Evaluation
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Test | No alcohol detected |
| DRE Evaluation | Alleged drug impairment |
Impact on Buller’s TCPA Litigation
Defense firms increasingly cite Buller’s criminal charges when challenging his adequacy as a proposed class representative.
Common defense arguments include:
| Question Raised | Litigation Implication |
|---|---|
| Credibility concerns | Impacts class representation |
| Character issues | Challenges adequacy |
| Public perception | Weakens representative status |
The criminal allegations have shifted litigation focus away from campaign compliance and toward Buller’s personal conduct.
Professional Background: UX Design
Outside litigation, Buller worked professionally as a UX strategist and designer.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Lead UX Designer |
| Employers | Fjord, Chapter SF |
| Clients | Facebook, Google, UberEats |
| Expertise | User systems and automated platforms |
This technical background is frequently referenced in commentary discussing his ability to identify alleged flaws in marketing systems.
How Buller Compares to Other Serial Litigators
| Comparison | Jacob Buller | Cody Olson | Stewart Abramson | Stanley Hastings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Focus | Political texting | Political texting | Energy/Solar | Lead generation |
| Venue | Minnesota | Minnesota | Pennsylvania | Arkansas |
| Criminal Issues | Yes (2025 arrest) | None known | None | None |
| Adequacy Challenges | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Technical Focus | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
What makes Buller unique is the intersection of:
- Technical platform knowledge
- Political campaign litigation
- Criminal allegations impacting class adequacy
What the Buller Litigation Means for Political Campaigns
| Lesson | Compliance Impact |
|---|---|
| Political campaigns are not exempt | Campaigns remain subject to TCPA |
| P2P systems are risky | Human clicking may not eliminate liability |
| Recycled numbers matter | RND scrubbing is essential |
| Soundboard systems count | Prerecorded snippets may trigger TCPA |
| Consent remains critical | Campaigns must maintain proof |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacob Buller a serial litigator?
Yes. Public court filings and legal commentary identify Buller as an active TCPA plaintiff involved in political messaging litigation.
What is Jacob Buller known for?
He is best known for suing Bernie 2020 Inc. over unsolicited automated political texts.
Was Jacob Buller arrested?
Yes. In November 2025, Buller was arrested in Ontario and charged with impaired operation, dangerous operation, and fentanyl possession-related offenses.
How do the criminal charges affect litigation?
Defense firms use the charges to challenge his adequacy and credibility as a class representative.
What is the recycled-number issue?
It involves liability when text messages are sent to a phone number that changed ownership after prior consent was given.
What is soundboard technology?
Technology using prerecorded audio clips activated by human operators.
What is “staccato” texting?
Rapid-fire messaging patterns allegedly used as evidence of automated systems.
Final Thoughts: The Serial Litigator Facing Credibility Challenges
Jacob Buller is not an occasional TCPA plaintiff. He is a documented serial litigator whose litigation helped shape legal debates surrounding political texting, peer-to-peer messaging, reassigned numbers, and automated campaign communications.
His lawsuit against Bernie 2020 contributed to broader scrutiny of political mass-texting systems and helped establish that campaigns cannot automatically avoid TCPA exposure merely by labeling systems “volunteer-driven.”
However, Buller’s November 2025 arrest fundamentally changed the conversation surrounding his litigation profile.
| Before 2025 Arrest | After 2025 Arrest |
|---|---|
| Technical TCPA plaintiff | Criminal defendant |
| Credible class representative | Adequacy challenged |
| Focus on campaign compliance | Focus on criminal allegations |
The serial litigator who challenged presidential campaign texting practices now faces serious questions about whether he can continue serving as an effective class representative in consumer litigation.
Sources & References
Primary Sources – Litigation
- https://www.classaction.org/media/buller-et-al-v-bernie-2020-inc.pdf
- https://www.law360.com/articles/1283117/sanders-presidential-campaign-hit-with-suit-over-auto-texts
- Buller v. Bernie 2020 Inc., Case No. 0:20-cv-01368 (D. Minn.)
Primary Sources – Criminal Charges
- Sault Ste. Marie Police Service release (Nov. 21, 2025)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DSjyjSiDuac/
Secondary Sources
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-buller/
- Pederson v. Donald J. Trump For President, Inc., No. 19-2732 (D. Minn.)
- Buller v. Grassroots Targeting (2025)
Disclaimer
This article presents information derived from publicly available court filings, legal commentary, judicial rulings, media reporting, and official police records. The characterization of Jacob Buller as a “serial litigator” and “professional plaintiff” is based on documented litigation activity and publicly reported legal proceedings. Criminal charges referenced herein are allegations and remain subject to judicial process unless otherwise resolved in court. This article is provided solely for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
